Alumni

One of the best ways to see if Army ROTC is right for you is to learn how alumni have benefited from the experience. See how the skills they learned in ROTC have helped them build successful and satisfying careers.

The Cavalier Battalion is committed to keeping a strong relationship with our alumni. We love to hear from Army ROTC alumni as well as anyone affiliated with the military. If you are interested in getting in touch with us for further information, to make a donation towards the Capital Campaign, or just to check in, feel free to contact our President of the Cadet Association:

Alumni Updates

MAJ Moakler ’01

During Wreaths Across America at Arlington Cemetery today, I had the honor of placing a wreath on CPT Humayun Khan’s ( UVA Army ROTC Class of 2000) grave. I thought I would share the photo with the Cavalier Battalion.

Robert Murray ’06

I am currently assigned to, 4th Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) as the Commander of Operational Detachment- Alpha 7432. Being assigned with 7th Special Forces has moved me to a little base that is located on the Eglin Air Force Base Reservation near Destin, Florida. With 7th Group, I have been deployed to South America and had the opportunity to work with the most professional soldiers and conduct the best training in my military career. Here is a brief history of my past assignments:

In May 2006 I graduated from the University of Virginia with a bachelor of arts in Economics and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry through ROTC.
While in the Army, I have attended the Maneuver Captain’s Career Course, Ranger School, Infantry Basic Officer Leadership Course (IBOLC III), Basic Officer Leadership Course (BOLC II), Combatives Level I and II, Stryker Leaders Course, and Airborne School.

My first duty station was 1st Battalion, 4th Infantry Regiment in Hohenfels, Germany. The primary mission of the Battalion was to replicate Opposing Forces (OPFOR) for the Joint Multinational Readiness Center (JMRC). The Battalion had a secondary mission of deploying a company to Afghanistan on a constant rotation. During his assignment with 1-4 Infantry, I served as an Assistant S-3, Rifle Platoon Leader, Weapons Platoon Leader, and Battalion S-4.

As a Rifle Platoon Leader, I deployed to Combat Outpost Baylough, Zabul Province, Afghanistan in support of Operation Enduring Freedom VIII from June 2008 – February 2009. I also deployed with my Rifle Platoon to Poland and Romania for training missions. These training missions provided excellent opportunities to train with foreign armies. While replicating Opposing Forces at Hohenfels, I participated in six JMRC Mission Readiness Exercises. These exercises helped prepare units for upcoming deployments to Afghanistan, Iraq and Kosovo.

In 2009 I attended Special Forces Assessment and Selection (SFAS) and completed the Special Forces Qualification Course (SFQC) in August 2012.

Please feel free to contact me for information about Special Forces, Infantry, or Army life in general.

John Willis’89

Me with members of the battalion at the 2013 Army 10-Miler in DC on Sunday, October 20 2013. Great to run with some fellow Wahoos and future Army leaders.

Dave Bassett ’88

COL Dave Bassett (BSEE 1988, MSCS 1996) was selected for promotion to the rank of Brigadier General. Dave is a member of the Army Acquisition Corps and currently serves as the Deputy Program Executive Officer for Combat Support and Combat Service Support in Warren MI.

Frank Walter Krause ’55

University of Marlyand Dental School, 1959. Captain US Army Dental Corps 1959-1961. Military Service at Camp Pickett and Fort Lee as a dental officer. Temple University, 1963: MS in Orthodontics. Orthodontic practice in Cranford, NJ. Married to Barbara Schmidt. Four children and four grandchildren (1963-2013).

Richard Dyas ’67

After law school, I joined the JAG corps, trained at UVA and was first assigned to HQ, HQ Command, Ft. Meade, MD. Served on prosecution team for court martial of Capt Wm. Calley. Then was assigned to USASA, Udorn Thailand, where I was command judge advocate for N. Thailand sector. Primarily handled civilian claims resulting from collateral damage of air strikes. Detailed to assist Air America, a prime contractor for the U.S. Army. Finished Army career at Ft. Belvoir as chief prosecutor. Tried over 100 general courts martial. Have since been in private practice. Now retired. Enjoyed the Army experience and the CavBattalion.

CPT Ryan Miller ’08

CPT Ryan Miller graduated from UVA with a BS in Civil Engineering and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Ordnance Corps in 2008. After completing Ordnance Officer Basic, CPT Miller was selected for the Naval Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) School at Eglin Air Force Base, FL.

CPT Miller’s first assignment was as an EOD platoon leader for the 49th EOD at Fort Campbell KY. CPT Miller deployed to Afghanistan (OEF X-XI) in support of 1-61 CAV 4BCT 101st ABD where he provided EOD support for 1-61 CAV and served as the senior explosives and counter IED adviser to the battalion commander.

Upon his return from Afghanistan, CPT Miller assumed command of the 723d EOD at Fort Campbell KY. He currently lives in Clarksville, TN with his wife, Lynsey (UVA Curry ’10). His awards and decorations include BSM, ARCOM, AAM 1OLC, Combat Action Badge, Senior EOD Badge, and the Air Assault Badge.

Brett Saffell ’98

After graduation and commissioning in 1998, I attended the Field Artillery Officer Basic Course at Ft. Sill, Oklahoma, graduating as Honor Graduate. I was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division (Light) at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii. As part of 2nd Battalion, 11th Field Artillery (“ON TIME”), I supported 1st Battalion, 27th Infantry Regiment (“Wolfhounds”) as a company Fire Support Officer and subsequently as battery Fire Direction Officer and XO for B Battery, 2-11 FA (M119 105mm howitzers). I also served as battalion FDO, battalion plans officer, and a fire control officer for 25th ID Division Artillery. I left active duty in 2002, transferring to the Indiana Army National Guard and to attend graduate school at Indiana University.

While pursuing my MBA at the Kelley School of Business at IU, I served in the 2nd Battalion, 150th Field Artillery (M198 155mm howitzers) initially as battalion FDO (based out of Bloomington), then as battery commander of B/2-150 FA in Spencer, IN. During this time I completed the Field Artillery Captain’s Career Course via on-line training and a 2-week residence course at Ft. Sill, supported a mobilization to secure a chemical weapons depot in Newport, IN, and advised our battalion’s SMP cadets from IU ROTC.

Upon graduation in 2004, I moved to Milwaukee, WI for my new full-time civilian job at Miller Brewing Company in marketing (market research and brand management). After a few weeks of full-time employment, I was mobilized by the 76th Infantry Brigade (IN-ARNG) and deployed to Afghanistan as an adviser to the 2nd Kandak, 1st Brigade, 201st Corps of the Afghan National Army. Upon my return from Afghanistan, I served in the 157th Maneuver Enhancement Brigade (WI-ANG) until I separated from the National Guard in 2006.

In 2009, I resigned from Miller Brewing/MillerCoors and moved to Columbus, Ohio to accept a new position at Limited Brands. I worked in brand strategy for 3 years at Bath & Body Works, and currently work in strategy and operations for Limited Brands International. I currently reside with my family in Columbus.

Christian J.T. Simon ’95

My parents and son, pinning on the new rank. My father, Roland Simon, previously taught at the University of Virginia, in the French Department.

I have the pleasure to announce that I was formally promoted to LTC on the 2nd of November, 2012, by COL Glenn R. Huber, Commandant of the Western Hemisphere Institute for Security Cooperation. In my Army career, I have been an Armor Officer, a Logistician, and am now serving as a Foreign Area Officer with a concentration in the Western Hemisphere. Turns out majoring in Spanish and Latin-American Studies was a good idea after all! I have also been selected to attend the Joint Military Attache School in 2013, after which I have also been selected to serve as the Army Attache in Nicaragua. Go Hoos!

John A. Rorer, Jr. ’51

Retired from UVa as Associate Director, University of Virginia Hospital in 1992. Moved from Charlottesville to Edgewater, Maryland in 2001.